Riverwalk Landing gets a fresh start with new businesses

Amanda Kerr/Daily Press Water Street Grille is among several new stores… (Amanda Kerr, Daily Press )

September 26, 2013|By Amanda Kerr, akerr@dailypress.com

YORK — After having a revolving door of tenants for the last few years, Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown is moving forward with new businesses that are focused on making the waterfront development a dynamic destination.

Four new businesses have opened along the Water Street development in recent months resulting in Riverwalk being fully leased for the first time in several years. The new businesses include Auntie M's American Cottage, Water Street Grille, Alexander's Photography and Kero Asian Grill.

Jim Noel, director of economic development for York County, said he along with the York County Economic Development Authority, which operates Riverwalk Landing, have been focusing on finding tenants with a sustainable business model that can survive the seasonal nature of Riverwalk Landing and generate business year round.

As an example, Noel pointed to Marilyn West, owner of Auntie M's, a local folk artist who has already developed clients from years of attending local art shows.

"We think she's a great fit," he said. "She offers a unique product you can't get elsewhere."

The 20,000-square-foot retail development has had several businesses close over the last few years, most recently Southern Estates Books and Antiques which closed in January after being open for less than a year. Noel said Riverwalk initially had some turnover after opening in 2005 but that it wasn't until after the recession hit in late 2008 that the development was left with several vacant storefronts.

One thing that Noel hopes might be recession proof is having more food offerings.

"We thought food was something that was very sustainable down there and was something tourists and locals both would appreciate and take advantage of," he said.

So far Noel's hypothesis seems to be working, according to Water Street Grille owner Mario Buffa, who said that the restaurant has been well received by locals and tourists.

Water Street Grille opened in June and offers a middle ground between its neighbors Riverwalk Restaurant and the Yorktown Pub. The restaurant offers 20 types of micro brewed beers, brick fired pizza as well as seafood tapas, sandwiches and wraps.

In order to keep things lively during the winter season, Buffa is planning on offering live music at the grill as well as oyster roasts and beer tastings.

Riverwalk Restaurant, which Buffa took over in January from local restaurateur Tom Austin, has also gotten a facelift with some cosmetic changes to its entrance as well as new menu options including pasta dishes and vegetarian options. Buffa said so far he's seen a 20 percent increase in sales at Riverwalk Restaurant.

At Auntie M's, Marilyn West has been pleased with the traffic her store has received since opening July 16. Her store offers a variety of folk art from paintings to jewelry to clothing to one-of-a-kind items like purses made of classic album covers and vinyl records. Much of the art is made from repurposed or recycled materials. Prices range from $1 to $3,000.

West features her own work as well as artists from across the region including Gloucester, Newport News, Williamsburg and Richmond. She even sells art from a friend in Texas.

To drive interest at her store, West is organizing regular workshops where people can learn basic art techniques. Some of the workshops planned include felted art, mosaic photo frames and crafts like painting a Coke bottle Santa.

The next step in capitalizing on having all of Riverwalk Landing leased, Buffa said is working with neighboring businesses like the Yorktown Pub and Duke of York Motel, which are not technically part of Riverwalk Landing. Buffa, who is the president of the Riverwalk Landing Business Association, hopes that rather than competing, all the businesses can work together to make Riverwalk a year round destination. He feels that by each business generating more traffic for themselves, they're bringing more potential business for the other stores.

"The more we can do as a team, I think it will be a win-win situation," he said.